Beijing-Jiuzhaigou-Zhangjiajie-Shanghai Package Tour
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Great Wall, Beijing
Jiuzhaigou
Zhangjiajie
Shanghai
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Beijing-Jiuzhaigou-Zhangjiajie-Shanghai
China Cultural
Heritage Tour (10-day)
Highlights:
• Visit the two biggest and most famed cities of China,
Beijing and Shanghai
• Experience the most beautiful natural scenery China has to
offer at Jiuzhaigou Valley and the tropical area of Zhangjiajie
• Discover the ancient customs and culture of the Miao people at
Fenghuang
Standard
Tour and Luxury Tour Packages Available.
B=(Breakfast) L=(lunch) D=(dinner) DEPARTURE: Daily |
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TOUR ITINERARY |
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Tour
code:
P-BJZS |
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Day 1: Airport
Transfer
When you arrive in Beijing, we will meet you and
drive you to your accommodation, a 4-star hotel in
the heart of Beijing, The rest of your day is up to
your discretion. |
Day 2: Beijing-Tian’anmen
Square+Forbidden City+ Temple of Heaven +Lama Temple
(B, L)
Our guide will meet you at your
hotel between 7:30-800am, and from we will start our
sightseeing. Our first stop is at Tian’anmen Square.
The largest public square in the world, Tiananmen
Square is seen as China’s political center. Its
grounds have seen some turbulent moments, from the
May 4th Movement of 1919 to the political turmoil of
1989. The south of the square is marked by the
Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, while the center of the
square is dominated by the Monument to the People’s
Heroes, an imposing 10-story granite obelisk. To the
east is the National Museum of China, and to the
west is the Great Hall of the People, home to
China’s legislative bodies. The north of the square
is dominated by the Gate of Heavenly Peace, known
for its iconic portrait of Mao Zedong, and is the
national emblem of China.
After walking across the square we will enter the Forbidden City (known in Chinese as Gu Gong), the
largest surviving palace complex and the former home
of the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasty. The
Forbidden City is one of the greatest attractions in
the world. Built by the third Ming emperor between
1406-1422, the Forbidden City served as the official
residence to the Emperor of China until the last
emperor, Puyi, was forced to evacuate in 1924. The
Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The
southern section, or the Outer Court was where the
emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation.
The northern section, or the Inner Court was where
he lived with his royal family. Consisting of 980
buildings and with 8,707 bays of rooms, the
Forbidden City is the best example of classical
Chinese architecture in the world, and is a wonder
to behold.
We will then drive to the Temple of Heaven park. The
complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and
Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to
Heaven for good harvest. The Temple of Heaven park
is best known for the Hall of Prayer for Good
Harvests, an iconic building famed for its
magnificent triple-gabled circular roof. You will
also have an opportunity to walk the same imperial
walkway that the same emperors walked hundreds of
years ago in their holy rites. You will also see
Beijing’s senior citizens using the park grounds for
everything from tai chi and ballroom dancing to
bullwhip practice! If you’d like we can join in for
their exercises, known as Tai Chi.
After visiting the Temple of Heaven we will go to
visit the Lhama Temple. Other than the temples in
Tibet this is the best Buddhist temple in China.
Work on the Lhama Temple originally began in 1694
during the Qing dynasty. It served as an official
residence for court eunuchs. It was then converted
into the home of the Prince Yong, a son of the
Kangxi Emperor and himself the future Yongzheng
Emperor. It was converted into a lamasery after his
ascension to the throne in 1722. Today the Lhama
Temple still functions as a monastery and temple of
the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism. Walking
through the temple your senses will be enveloped by
the incenses and the chanting of the visiting monks
and other followers. The rear Pavilion of Ten
Thousand Happinesses features a 26m tall statue of
the Maitreya Buddha cared from a single piece of
white sandalwood. It is one of three artworks in the
Lhama Temple that were included in the Guiness Book
of World Records, and it is not to be missed on your
visit.
We will then drop you off at your hotel, and the
night is up to your discretion. |
Day 3: Beijing-Mutianyu Great
Wall-Ming Tombs-Spirit Way-Olympic Green (B,L)
After a morning pickup at your hotel we will drive
directly to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. As one of
the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall, the
Mutianyu section of the Great Wall used to serve as
the northern barrier defending the capital and the
imperial tombs. First built in the mid-6th century
during the Northern Qi, Mutianyu Great Wall is older
than the Badaling section of the Great Wall. In the
Ming dynasty, under the supervision of General Xu Da,
construction of the present wall began on the
foundation of the wall of Northern Qi. In 1404, a
pass was built in the wall. In 1569, the Mutianyu
Great Wall was rebuilt and till today most parts of
it are well preserved.
Compared with other sections of Great Wall, the
Mutianyu Great Wall possesses unique characteristics
in its construction. Watchtowers are densely placed
along this section of the Great Wall - 22
watchtowers on this 2,250-meter-long stretch. The
Mutianyu Pass consists of 3 watchtowers, one big in
the center and two smaller on both sides. Standing
on the same terrace, the three watchtowers are
connected to each other inside and compose a rarely
seen structure among all sections of Great Wall.
For the afternoon, we will make the short trip to
the Ming Tombs. The Ming Tombs, about 50 km/31 miles
from Beijing, are where 13 emperors of the Ming
Dynasty (1368-1644) are buried. This site was
carefully chosen for its feng shui principles by the
third Ming emperor Yongle (who also moved the
capital from Nanjing to Beijing and began
construction on the Forbidden City). The tomb we
will visit, Dingling, is the tomb of the Wanli
Emperor. It is the only one of the Ming Dynasty
Tombs to have been excavated. It also remains the
only imperial tomb to have been excavated since the
founding of the People's Republic of China, After
viewing the tombs, we will head to the “Shenlu”, or
the Spirit Way. The Spirit Way leads into the
complex, lined with statues of guardian animals and
officials, with a front gate consisting of a
three-arches, painted red, and called the "Great Red
Gate". The Sacred Way, starts with a huge stone
memorial archway lying at the front of the area.
Constructed in 1540, during the Ming Dynasty, this
archway is one of the biggest stone archways in
China today.
On our way back to the city we will stop off at one
more sight, this one highlighting the more modern
aspects of Beijing. The Olympic Green was the center
of the event that captivated the world for two weeks
in August of 2008. The highlights include the Bird’s
Nest (officially known as the Beijing National
stadium) and the Water Cube (the Beijing National
Aquatics Center).
After walking the Olympic Green we will take you
back to your hotel, completing the day’s travels.
The night is at your discretion.
Optional: If you’d like, you can choose one of our 1
day Great Wall hiking tours and do that instead for
today. |
Day 4: Beijing-Jiuzhaigou
Valley (by air) (B, L, D)
You will be taken to the airport,
and you will catch your flight to Jiuzhaigou Valley, in Sichuan province
of southwest China. On arrival at the airport, you
will be met by our English-speaking guide and you
will be drive to your hotel.
After stopping to freshen up we will go to the Huanglong Scenic and Resort Area, renowned as a
“fairy land on earth”. Here we will see snow-clad
peaks, colorful ponds, along with glaciers that are
at its easternmost point in China. Along with all
this is a backdrop of forest as far as the eye can
see. |
Day 5: Jiuzhaigou (B, L, D)
After breakfast in the hotel we will
head to Jiuzhaigou National Park, the showpiece
of Jiuzhaigou. This park and valley is regarded by
the Tibetan peoples as a holy mountain and
watercourse. This valley combines blue lakes,
waterfalls, forests, and mountains with peaks of
snow. We will take the whole day to explore this
wonderland. The park has 12 natural peaks, how many
will you be able to make it to? |
Day 6: Jiuzhai-Zhangjiajie (by
air) (B, L)
In the morning we will you will be
driven to the airport, and will make the short
flight to Zhangjiajie. After stopping at
your hotel to get your bearings, we will drive to
the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The park’s
natural features include caves, lakes and
waterfalls. One of the most prominent spots is the
Golden Whip Stream. Then we will go by chair lift to
Tianzhi Mountain. The popular paths on this majestic
mountain include the Yellow Dragon Spring, Teaboard
Tower, Lao Wu Chang, Feng Qi Mountain, and Shi Jia
Yan.
After a full day of trekking and exploring the parks
and mountains, we will return to the hotel for the
night. |
Day 7:
Zhangjiajie (B, L)
Our day starts with a hike of the
Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshi Zhai). The Yellow
Stone Stronghold rises about 800 meters (0.5 miles)
above ground and is known for its overhanging cliffs
and jagged rocks. The Yellow Stone Stronghold is
reputed to be one of the most beautiful canyons in
the world. This hike is not for the faint of heart,
and can be quite challenging. Visitors will
encounter unusual and beautiful sights such as Fir
Forest Path, Heavenly Book and Precious Box, A
Pillar Piercing the Southern Sky and Pick Star
Platform.
The hike will take most of the day, and we will
return to the hotel later that afternoon. You are
free to use that night to explore the city at your
own pace. |
Day 8: Zhangjiajie-Fenghuang
town (B, L)
Today we will make the drive to the
old town of Fenghuang, which is on the Yangtze
River. Fenghuan is a bastion of the shrinking Miao
minority peoples, and is a perfect place to sample
its culture and customs. The most distinctive
feature of Fenghuang Town are the Diaojiao which
project over the river, and also the special
clothing and cultural styles you will see and feel
within the town. When exploring the city, you will
also see women washing clothes beside the river and
the local people carrying bamboo baskets on their
backs. We will be able to stroll along the old
village houses in the town. This is a bout as
authentic experience you can have in China!
That night we will stay in a hostel. You can spend
the night to wander about the town some more at your
own leisure. |
Day 9: Fenghuang Town-Zhangjiajie-Shanghia
(by air) (B)
We will begin the day boating on the
Tuojiang River, floating along the old city wall,
and then head to the East City Gate Tower. East Gate
City Tower is one of four city gates in the town. It
stands at a height of 11 meters, and has the
appropriate touch of magnificence that an entrance
to this city should have.
We will then have the opportunity to sample some of
the local Miao cuisine (spicy!) and to go to the
town market for some traditional crafts and
supplies. Afterwards we will make the drive back to
Zhangjiajie to prepare for your flight to Shanghai.
You will be driven to the airport, and catch your
flight to Shanghai, and when you arrive you will be
met by one of our guides and taken to your 4 star
hotel, located in central Shanghai. The night is at
your discretion. |
Day 10:
Shanghai (Zhujiajiao Water Town or Suzhou)-exit
Shanghai
Today you have two options when in Shanghai You can either make
the short trip to the Zhujiajiao Water Town, or to
go to Suzhou, a city known for its beautiful canals
and classical gardens:
Located in a suburb of Shanghai city, Zhujiajiao is
an ancient water town well known throughout the
country, with a history of more than 1700 years. The
little fan-shaped town glimmers like a bright pearl
in the landscape of lakes and mountains.
Endowed with another elegant name - 'Pearl Stream' -
the little town is the best preserved among the four
ancient towns in Shanghai. Unique old bridges across
bubbling streams, small rivers shaded by willow
trees, and houses with courtyards attached all
transport people who have been living amidst the
bustle and hustle of the modern big city to a
brand-new world full of antiquity, leisure and
tranquility.
The unique characteristics of the past are still
retained in present-day Suzhou. The
double-chessboard layout of Suzhou, with 'the
streets and rivers go side by side while the water
and land routes run in parallel', are preserved
basically intact. Strolling the streets, you can
feel the unique lingering charm of this landscape
left by its long history.
As the saying goes - 'Gardens to the south of
Yangtze River are the best in the world, and Suzhou
gardens are the best among them'. These gardens
attain their high reputation not only for their vast
numbers, but also for their charming natural beauty
and harmonious construction. At present more than 60
gardens are kept intact in Suzhou, and a series of
them have been listed in the World Heritage List,
including the Humble Administrator's Garden, the
Lingering Garden, the Garden of Master of Nets and
the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty.
After going on your day’s excursion, you will then
be driven to Shanghai’s Pudong International
Airport, where you will catch our flight home or to
your next destination, ending your voyage through
China. |
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Stuff to bring:
• Sturdy shoes or boots, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Bug spray and any other items needed in dealing with the tropical heat
• Tips for a job well done by your guides and drivers, money for any
personal expenses not mentioned
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